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The movie opens with a group of slaves receiving instruction on cutting sugar cane. The scene shifts to a group of shacks where the slaves are eating. One man, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), notices the dark juice of blackberries on his plate. He whittles some wood into a quill and attempts to write with the blackberry juice as ink. It doesn't work as the juice is too thin. Later, where the slaves all sleep at night, a female stirs in her sleep and advances on Northup sexually. He seems uninterested, and flashes back to 1841 in Saratoga, NY, with his family. His wife, Anne (Kelsey Scott), is soon going off with the children for awhile to work as a cook. Just hours after he sees them off, he meets two men named Brown and Hamilton who offer him money to tour the country in their traveling show. Solomon is a very educated man and a skilled violin player who they want to add to the mix. They ask him to join them in Washington DC tonight, and they'll have him home before his wife returns. Solomon decides to go with it, and joins them for a lavish dinner that night in DC. All partake in wine...
...and the next thing Solomon knows, he awakens barefoot in a dark cell, chained to the floor. In a series of quick flashbacks, we see his "friends" carry him up to his hotel room, excusing his drunken stupor to other patrons. They then tell each other they can't do anything else for him. Two men enter the cell. Solomon immediately pleads his case, saying he's Solomon Northup from Saratoga, a free man. The men tell him he's a "runaway nigger" from Georgia. Solomon insists that's not the case, but when asked to produce his papers proving his identity and freedom, he obviously cannot, so one of the men savagely beats him, yelling at him that he is a runaway and from Georgia, and a slave.
The next day, Solomon tells others that surely Brown and Hamilton are looking for him, but Clemens (Chris Chalk), an apparently educated slave, brings him into the reality of the situation. Soon a mother and daughter are brought to the pen to join a previously-captured son. The mother, Eliza (Adepero Oduye), tries to keep a brave face. Late that night, the numerous captured slaves are pulled from their cell and transported to a riverboat, where many other slaves are also already on board from elsewhere. Clemens reiterates his advice that Solomon maintain a low profile, denying his ability to read and write. They encounter another slave, Robert (Michael Kenneth Williams), who wants to revolt and take over the ship. Later that night, a member of the transport crew visits the hold and awakens Eliza to rape her. Robert attempts to stop the rape but is stabbed and killed. Clemens and Solomon are ordered to drop the body in a body bag into the river, prompting Clemens to remark that Robert is better off in death than those two are. Solomon thinks back to Saratoga, and we get a brief flashback where Solomon and his family are shopping before Anne's trip. Solomon and the shopkeeper haggle a bit before the purchase.
The boat arrives at a dock the next day. Clemens's master is at the dock and demands the return of his property. Clemens gratefully scampers down into the embrace of his master, abandoning all evidence of his previously-displayed intellect. After the others disembark, a slave trader named Freeman (Paul Giamatti) calls out the names of his new property. He calls Solomon "Platt", which he obviously doesn't recognize. Solomon starts to say his real name but is slapped and told his name is Platt. In Freeman's offices, the newly-acquired slaves are sold off as they stand naked and on display, with Freeman putting over their physical talents. One plantation owner, Ford (Benedict Cumberbatch), wants to buy both Solomon and Eliza. She begs him to take her children as well, but Freeman balks, swiftly selling her son to another buyer. Ford attempts to buy her daughter (who is clearly of mixed race), but again Freeman won't hear of it. It is obvious Ford is sympathetic to Eliza, but his hands are tied and he buys his initial duo. Eliza is distraught. Solomon is commanded by Freeman to play the fiddle to lighten the mood.
Ford transports his purchases back to his plantation. Eliza is still upset about losing her children, so Mrs. Ford (Liza J. Bennett) mentions that food and a night's rest will help her forget them. The next morning, the slaves are introduced to slave handler Tibeats (Paul Dano), who does nothing but talk down to the slaves. He sings a derogatory song warning the slaves against escape as they perform their labor. The slaves are ordered to clap for the duration of the song.
The next day, Solomon approaches Ford with a thought-out idea to transport the lumber via the river to make things easier for his plantation. Tibeats is extremely patronizing but Ford is impressed with Solomon's theory and gives the go-ahead for the area to be cleared out. The idea works, much to Tibeats' embarrassment. Ford offers Solomon his own violin to play as a reward. Back in the slave quarters Eliza continues to bawl over the loss of her children. Solomon is frustrated by the noise and advises her to quiet down, saying Ford is a decent man. Eliza argues back that Ford must surely realize that Solomon is not a slave, yet does nothing to free him. In time, Eliza is sold off since Ford's wife has tired of the noise. Over the next few days, Tibeats chastises Solomon, saying he doesn't follow his directions on constructing correctly. Solomon is actually doing so and says that the problems are with the instructions. Tibeats attempts to beat Solomon, but he fights back and whips the hell out of him. Another slaver, Chapin (J.D. Evermore) comes upon the scene and Tibeats leaves making threats, even though seconds earlier he was pleading for mercy. Chapin warns Solomon that he cannot protect him if he runs and implies that he will get Ford to straighten it out. Solomon waits awhile. Ford doesn't come, but Tibeats does with two others. They drag Solomon to a tree and start to lynch him, but Chapin shows up again and tells them all to scram since "Pratt" belongs to Ford. They all do scurry as Solomon is pushing up on his toes to avoid hanging. Chapin leaves him there. For quite some time, he's left there as the other slaves (who know not to get involved) and Mrs. Ford see him struggle. Finally, Ford arrives and cuts him down.
Solomon recovers in the plantation house. Ford tells him because of Tibeats, it's not safe for Solomon here anymore, so he's sold him to another plantation owner named Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender), who's the only one who offered to take him since word is out about Solomon's apparent temper. Ford seems sympathetic to Solomon's situation but does not allow himself to hear as Solomon starts to say his true identity.
Epps has his slaves work in his cotton fields. He demands at least 200 pounds a day from everyone. Those who don't get that amount, or do less than the prior day, are lashed at the end of the workday. He praises one person in particular, a young girl named Patsey (Lupita Nyong'o) who each day exceeds 500 pounds, far more than anyone else. Epps seems to have more than a cotton-picking interest in Patsey as well, which is not lost on Mrs. Epps (Sarah Paulson). That night, the slaves are dancing and playing instruments at Epps's request. Epps gazes at Patsey as she moves. Mrs. Epps picks up a glass jug and throws it right at Patsey's head. She tells her husband to "sell that black bitch" at once. He refuses and orders the joyous music and dancing to continue, even after Patsey is dragged away due to injury.
Mrs. Epps sends Solomon on an errand to the store. She hands him a list and notices him reading it. She makes it clear that he should not be seen doing that again. On his way to the store, Solomon runs off to attempt an escape but he comes upon a lynching in progress. He is asked where he's going. Solomon says he's running an errand for Mrs. Epps and shows the list. Solomon is allowed to leave. He also thinks to take an extra sheet of paper each time he's running an errand so he can potentially put it to use down the line.
Some time later, an intoxicated Epps dispatches Solomon to a nearby plantation owned by a man named Shaw. Shaw has married one of his slaves and elevated her status on his plantation. Patsey is there visiting Mrs. Shaw (Alfre Woodard) but apparently Epps is concerned that Shaw might attempt to get her in bed. Solomon arrives and eventually convinces Patsey to join him and return to Epps. As they arrive, Solomon whispers to Patsey that she should avoid Epps since he's drunk. Epps sees this and now thinks SOLOMON is trying to get her in bed too. Epps and Solomon grapple until Mrs. Epps intervenes, angry at her husband's obsession with Patsey. Later that night, Epps stumbles to the slave quarters and rapes Patsey. The next evening, Mrs. Epps offers pastries to all the slaves, except for Patsey. She then calls her out for the "insolent look" she received, and despite her husband saying to lay off, she slashes Patsey's face. That night, Patsey asks Solomon to kill her as she's tired of this life. Solomon says he can't do that.
Epps has a bad seasonal crop as gypsy moths and other insects have all but destroyed the cotton, so he lends the slaves to Judge Turner (Bryan Batt). This returns us to the film's opening setting, where Solomon is cutting sugar cane under Turner's watch. Turner notices Solomon's skill and recommends him to a neighbor seeking music for a party. As a bonus, Turner says Solomon may keep whatever wages he earns.
When Northup returns to Epps, he attempts to use the money to pay a newly-hired white man named Armsby (Garret Dillahunt) to mail a letter to Northup's friends in New York. Solomon and Armsby seemed to become allies as they told each other about themselves. Armsby is a former alcoholic. Armsby agrees to deliver the letter and accepts all Northup's saved money. However, the next night, Epps stirs Solomon from his slumber and asks him to walk with him outside. It is there that Epps says that he's heard there may be here a "learned nigger who writes letters and gets white boys to mail them." Solomon says that isn't possible. He has no ink and paper. Armsby is lying, trying to get Epps paranoid that everyone will run off and have him hire Armsby as an overseer. Epps thinks for a moment and believes Solomon to be telling the truth. Solomon later burns the letter.
Some time later, several slaves are building a structure with hired contractor Bass (Brad Pitt). Bass is from the North and holds strong abolitionist views that go against Epps's pro-slavery attitude. Solomon's interest is piqued as Epps offers water to Bass and Bass questions why not to everyone else as well. They debate about what's right in law and/or in the eyes of God. Later, a drunken Epps is furious because he cannot find Patsey. She later shows up, having gone to the Shaw plantation to get some soap since Mrs. Epps won't give her any. Epps doesn't believe her and sets her up for a lashing. As he prepares to whip her, he finds that he cannot. He orders that Solomon do it. At first, Solomon attempts to be gentle, but Mrs. Epps nags her husband for the lashing to be done harder. Epps points a gun to Solomon's head and claims he will kill every slave he sees if he doesn't whip Patsey harder. Solomon has no choice but to whip her harder. Soon, Epps grabs the whip and, seething with rage, finally BRUTALLY lashes Patsey himself, shredding the flesh on her back until she collapses. Solomon yells that someday a man has to atone for his sins. Epps laughs his words off.
Days later, Solomon and Bass are working together. Bass's work is almost done, he leaves tomorrow. Solomon asks Bass where he's from. Bass says he's from Canada. Solomon says he's been there, it's beautiful, and he names several places. Bass is impressed with his knowledge and asks Solomon to tell him his story. That is, his REAL story. Solomon tells him everything. Bass is amazed by the story. Solomon asks Bass if he believes in justice. Bass says yes, he does. Solomon asks him to write to his friends in Saratoga for his freedom papers. Bass agrees to do it.
Time passes. Solomon isn't sure Bass followed through. Bass may have even betrayed him as others already did. However, one day while working in a field with other slaves, a carriage pulls up to the plantation and a man calls out for Platt. Solomon approaches him and learns he's the sheriff, who asks Solomon several questions. Solomon answers them all correctly. The questions are all about Solomon Northup's old life. Convinced that Platt is Solomon, the sheriff motions to a second man still in the carriage. It is Mr. Parker, the Saratoga shopkeeper seen in an earlier flashback. Solomon rushes to embrace his friend. Epps runs out of the house enraged. The sheriff rebukes Epps's threats as Parker helps Solomon into the carriage that will take him to safety. Patsey sees Solomon leaving and calls out to him. Solomon leaps from the carriage to embrace her one last time before his departure. As he leaves, Patsey collapses in grief.
Finally home after 12 years, he enters his house and sees his family, all 12 years older, waiting to see him. Everyone is overwhelmed with happiness. His daughter has married and has a son, Solomon Northup Staunton. Solomon apologizes to everyone, but Anne says there is absolutely nothing to be apologizing for. The family all embrace, and the film ends with an on-screen epilogue explaining that Solomon wrote his memoir, and later attempted unsuccessfully to have his kidnappers and owners prosecuted (the proceedings took place in the south), but Solomon did aid in helping many slaves escape via the Underground Railroad. However, no historical knowledge exists of the time, place and reason behind Solomon's death.
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This was Steve McQueen's third film as director to feature Michael Fassbender in a prominent role.....Filming took place at four different former plantations in Louisiana, one of which was nearby an actual plantation where the real Solomon Northup worked.....Michael Kenneth Williams, who portrays Chalky White on the HBO series Boardwalk Empire, only has a minute or so of screen time. There was one additional scene he appeared in that wound up not used, and while shooting that scene Williams had an emotional breakdown due to the subject matter.....Dwight Henry and Quvenzhané Wallis both appear briefly in the first minutes of the film. Henry and Wallis played father and daughter in the 2012 Best Picture nominee Beasts of the Southern Wild. Unlike when shooting that first film, both were by now card-carrying members of SAG-AFTRA.....Vera Farmiga auditioned for the role of Mrs. Epps but Sarah Paulson was cast because McQueen's daughter said that Paulson's performance actually frightened her.....When the film premiered in August at the Telluride Film Festival, audiences loved the film but many didn't applaud. They simply were stunned into silence at the magnitude of the story.
12 Years a Slave was a major player when it came to awards season. There were several contenders, however, vying for the title of "favorite to win Best Picture" in addition to this one. This film scored nine Oscar nominations. Gravity also scored nine. American Hustle scored ten. All three of those films were considered possible winners for Best Picture, and in fact all three films won a number of top prizes leading up to the Academy Awards ceremony. When the smoke cleared, Gravity won the most Oscars with seven, six of them technical awards along with Alfonso Cuarón winning Best Director over McQueen. American Hustle wound up winless. 12 Years a Slave brought home three Oscars, which is a low total for a Best Picture winner, but not at all an indication of this being a weak film. It's proof of how strong other nominees in each category were. 2013 was a good year with a solid crop of films. Lupita Nyong'o won Best Supporting Actress. John Ridley won Best Adapted Screenplay. The Best Picture victory came over American Hustle, Captain Phillips, Dallas Buyers Club, Gravity, Her, Nebraska, Philomena and The Wolf of Wall Street. McQueen was a producer on the film (as were Pitt and others) and became the first African-American producer of a Best Picture. The film also is the first Best Picture to contain an actual numerical number in its title (other films have had roman numerals or spelled-out numbers). Some may question how a film could win only 3 Oscars in modern times but be Best Picture. It's not really about how many Oscars the Best Picture wins in total. It's about which film resonates the most with voters, and I think it was said best by Frank Bruni of the New York Times:
"Gravity had the effects; 12 Years had the effect."
It's not an easy film to watch, but it's a true story within history, and history is often ugly. Speaking strictly from a watching-movies-as-entertainment perspective, 12 Years a Slave is a very good film. Speaking beyond that perspective, 12 Years a Slave is a film you could not, and should not, forget.
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